Miss SeaBee Posted April 20, 2013 #101 Share Posted April 20, 2013 I think I'm going to make out a card which says "I'm not finished" to leave on my table. Maybe "I'm coming back" would be politer? Exactly what I was thinking. I was going to make a little stand-up card, like a dinner place card, that says "I will return momentarily." I think it would be useful to have in the buffet, to leave on my lounge chair by the pool while I'm in the water, in the bathroom, or getting a drink from the bar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted April 21, 2013 #102 Share Posted April 21, 2013 (edited) The card "I'm coming back" seems like a good thing. Maybe "Just getting a drink" might work better for all occasions. Edited April 21, 2013 by Pushka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireMedT Posted April 24, 2013 #103 Share Posted April 24, 2013 As I once read somewhere, an extrovert gets his energy from being around others. For an introvert, being around others robs him of his energy, and he must have time alone to recharge. Very interesting. All this time I never really realized that. Cruising for me gives me a chance to escape and it does wonders for me. Until I come back home that is. lol. Coming back home and back to work stinks. One of the women stands up and loudly states "we are not comfortable with THAT at the table!". The Maitre D who was a major jack'**s the whole trip just kind of rolled his eyes and said "well I have to sit IT somewhere". I seriously wanted to crawl under the carpet and go back to my room. Instead I just sucked it up with out telling them all to collectively go ***K themselves or something equally harsh. Wow! I cannot imagine anyone actually acting this way because they are sitting with a person traveling alone. In all my travels via cruise, land, and air I have never experienced this. That is just ridiculous and I think I would have definitely told them all to go *($# themselves and the maître de also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hondu Posted April 29, 2013 #104 Share Posted April 29, 2013 . The only awkward time I have is when I’m eating at the buffet. I’m never sure if they will clean off my place when I go up to get more food. I’ve have had that done and someone else is already sitting at “my” spot. I try to find a server and let them know I’ll be right back. This has worked out most times. Don Very easy solution. Always have a personal item with you when going to eat. Example: a cap or hat on your head. Just put it next to your plate before going back to get more food. A book works too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kobayashi Posted April 29, 2013 #105 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Going through customs: Agent: How many family members are with you? Me: 0 Agent: so you went on a cruise all by yourself, no family members or friends? Me: yes sir. I just wanted some R&R for myself. Agent: looks through passport to see what stamps are posted. Probably looking for places like Yemen or any country ending in "stan." Didn't bother me but it was the only moment I had on one trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandlockedCruiser01 Posted April 29, 2013 #106 Share Posted April 29, 2013 (edited) Going through customs:Agent: How many family members are with you? Me: 0 Agent: so you went on a cruise all by yourself, no family members or friends? Me: yes sir. I just wanted some R&R for myself. Agent: looks through passport to see what stamps are posted. Probably looking for places like Yemen or any country ending in "stan." Didn't bother me but it was the only moment I had on one trip. That's exactly the moment I had on this year's cruise. I have a whole thread dedicated to it. I was even taken to a separate room for secondary screening. I saw a few other cruisers there too, all solos plus one couple. After I got through customs, I ran into two of my friends from the ship. They told me it was because I was by myself. Apparently, customs agents see a solo cruiser, and think "drug runner" or something like that. It happened in Port Canaveral. My experience last year in Port of Miami was a little bit better: just some questions on the spot about my work and stuff, no secondary screening. I don't know if it some ports are more strict than others, if I simply got a mean agent, or if it was because of the Boston incident that they worry more than usual. Edited April 29, 2013 by LandlockedCruiser01 clarification Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kobayashi Posted April 29, 2013 #107 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Apparently, customs agents see a solo cruiser, and think "drug runner" or something like that. It happened in Port Canaveral. Hmmm. I hadn't considered that. I have Global Entry and a Sentri Pass (these are CBP Trusted Traveler programs) and will take them with me on the next cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffKoz Posted April 29, 2013 #108 Share Posted April 29, 2013 Hmmm. I hadn't considered that. I have Global Entry and a Sentri Pass (these are CBP Trusted Traveler programs) and will take them with me on the next cruise. Unfortunately, GlobalEntry has not been propagated to the cruise terminal point of entries yet...most airports are covered though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42CruiseCrazy Posted April 29, 2013 #109 Share Posted April 29, 2013 " They told me it was because I was by myself. Apparently, customs agents see a solo cruiser, and think "drug runner" or something like that. It happened in Port Canaveral. " The first time I cruised from Port Canaveral I got a letter on the last night telling me that all Canadians and other "aliens" must report at 6 AM sharp for pre-clearance with US Customs. The Americans could sleep in and disembark, without this hassle, at their leisure. I didn't mind getting up early but I resent being called an "alien". I wanted to tell the agent that I was from the Canada galaxy, Toronto quadrant, but I didn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireMedT Posted April 29, 2013 #110 Share Posted April 29, 2013 " They told me it was because I was by myself. Apparently, customs agents see a solo cruiser, and think "drug runner" or something like that. It happened in Port Canaveral. " The first time I cruised from Port Canaveral I got a letter on the last night telling me that all Canadians and other "aliens" must report at 6 AM sharp for pre-clearance with US Customs. The Americans could sleep in and disembark, without this hassle, at their leisure. I didn't mind getting up early but I resent being called an "alien". I wanted to tell the agent that I was from the Canada galaxy, Toronto quadrant, but I didn't. I'm curious. Why only Canadians? What about people from other countries? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted April 29, 2013 #111 Share Posted April 29, 2013 I'm curious. Why only Canadians? What about people from other countries? It probably was for every non USA citizens but you wouldn't get that info from a letter sent by the Canadian embassy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42CruiseCrazy Posted April 30, 2013 #112 Share Posted April 30, 2013 It probably was for every non USA citizens but you wouldn't get that info from a letter sent by the Canadian embassy. Yes. That's right. All non US citizens. The letter was from the cruise line on the direction of US Customs & Immigration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thoth Posted May 14, 2013 #113 Share Posted May 14, 2013 Call me gregarious, friendly, bold, talkative, and overly forward but I can overcome those awkward solo moments while on the ship. My awkward solo moment hits me like a ton of bricks when I disembark. No more party, no more disco, no more trivia, no more instant friends :( ...just me sitting in a big airport all by myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
42CruiseCrazy Posted May 15, 2013 #114 Share Posted May 15, 2013 call me gregarious, friendly, bold, talkative, and overly forward but i can overcome those awkward solo moments while on the ship.My awkward solo moment hits me like a ton of bricks when i disembark. No more party, no more disco, no more trivia, no more instant friends :( ...just me sitting in a big airport all by myself. oh how very true !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thoth Posted May 15, 2013 #115 Share Posted May 15, 2013 oh how very true !!! every time ! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJ Mr. E Posted June 20, 2013 #116 Share Posted June 20, 2013 LandlockedCruiser01: "There were those awkward "should I or maybe better not?" moments when getting into hot tubs with pre-existing groups already there. Eventually, I decided "why be embarrassed? I paid for those hot tubs". It was fine after that. I never got any hostile reactions." This just made me feel A LOT better about my upcoming first solo cruise. Like a weight was just lifted off my chest. You're right. I paid for the cruise, I AM going to enjoy it like everyone else. THANK YOU:):):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted June 20, 2013 #117 Share Posted June 20, 2013 LandlockedCruiser01: "There were those awkward "should I or maybe better not?" moments when getting into hot tubs with pre-existing groups already there. Eventually, I decided "why be embarrassed? I paid for those hot tubs". It was fine after that. I never got any hostile reactions." This just made me feel A LOT better about my upcoming first solo cruise. Like a weight was just lifted off my chest. You're right. I paid for the cruise, I AM going to enjoy it like everyone else. THANK YOU:):):) Hi,:) I have cruised over 30 times solo....depends on how much room is in that hot tub;) but I have gone in them plenty of times.....ususally everyone is friendly. Of course, you may get the idiot but you get them in real life too:rolleyes:..... I am sailing again in August (solo of course LOL)....going to Bermuda and plan on having a wonderful time.....I always do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJ Mr. E Posted June 20, 2013 #118 Share Posted June 20, 2013 I'm a little worried about people confusing my "solo" trip, with looking around to meet people as a "single". I'm not looking to hook up. Sent using CC app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted June 20, 2013 #119 Share Posted June 20, 2013 I'm a little worried about people confusing my "solo" trip, with looking around to meet people as a "single". I'm not looking to hook up. Sent using CC app I never even have that in my mind when I cruise. I am 55 and way beyond worrying what folks think about that. "Hooking up"? I don't even care if I meet other solo cruisers...I cruise for me:) family, solo, divorced, whatever....I care more about if folks are friendly. And to be honest, most people are not interested if someone is on their own. Most cruisers are too busy having a good time to concern themselves with someone else's martial status:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJ Mr. E Posted June 20, 2013 #120 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Yea, you're right. It's funny a little that I'm nervous. I've been on four other cruises and plenty of vacations. On every vacation I met people, chatted it up, had a good time. So I don't know why a solo vacation has me nervous. It's a GOOD nervous though. To stretch my comfort zone and people skills. Sent using CC app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandlockedCruiser01 Posted June 20, 2013 #121 Share Posted June 20, 2013 I'm a little worried about people confusing my "solo" trip, with looking around to meet people as a "single". I'm not looking to hook up. Boundaries! That's what it's about. Find the ones you're comfortable with, and enforce them. Think about the following. Will you be open to a possibility of a romantic encounter or keep all interactions stricly platonic? Will you accept if someone asks you to dance? What topics will you or won't you discuss with the people you meet? There's more, but you get the point. Wear a ring if you must, but don't be shy about enforcing your comfort zone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJ Mr. E Posted June 20, 2013 #122 Share Posted June 20, 2013 You folks are deep Sent using CC app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted June 20, 2013 #123 Share Posted June 20, 2013 You folks are deep Sent using CC app Nope, not deep, not me;)......I don't cruise to meet other solo cruisers. I cruise to get pampered for a week, relax, eat, drink, and yes, enjoy the peacefulness of sailing........ I mean if I meet someone else who happens to be solo? Fine, but if not, no big deal to me. I don't go to find people I am comfortable with.....I usually just end up meeting folks at one of the bars:D...or possibly on an excursion.....but as for some of the topics mentioned in the previous post? Not everyone handles things that way. I am very comfortable on my own:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJ Mr. E Posted June 20, 2013 #124 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Wait. I have a winking face next to that. I was joking lol. Totally understand what you mean. I am very comfortable enjoying things alone. I'll be fine. Just whining for no reason lol. I reallly excited. I love cruise food Sent using CC app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted June 20, 2013 #125 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Wait. I have a winking face next to that. I was joking lol. Totally understand what you mean. I am very comfortable enjoying things alone. I'll be fine. Just whining for no reason lol. I reallly excited. I love cruise food Sent using CC app Oh, the wink did not show up;):D:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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